Bouffe

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /buf/

Definitions

1. An informal term for food that is abundant and enjoyable, often reflecting a rich culinary experience
2. A casual word used to describe food that is plentiful and indulgent in taste
3. An informal expression referring to a quantity of food that is satisfying and rich

Etymology: Few words have travelled further from their origins. In Italian, "buffo" meant comic or droll, and it passed into French, where "opéra bouffe" named a light, comic style of opera. English borrowed the French word, so the connection to comedy was once the whole point of it. The food sense is less certain. French has its own slang "bouffe" meaning food, which likely comes from "bouffer", to eat greedily or stuff one's cheeks. Another possibility is that it is a shortening of "bouffant", meaning puffed out or full, which would fit the idea of a satisfying, swelling meal. The evidence does not settle which, so the most that can be said is that the English sense probably grew out of French slang for eating.